Thomas Turner

Dame Akehurst a-washing for me half the day and dined with me… Lent Mr Laurence Thornton in cash 1 guinea. In the evening wrote my London letters. Dame Akehurst lodged at my house.

Dame Akehurst a-washing for me all day and dined with me… Gave John Durrant’s wife the 4/- received for them on Sunday last. My brother came over in the afternoon, and he together with Mr Porter’s maid drank tea with me. My brother came over to inform me that his carrier would go with a team to Maidstone Fair on Saturday next, and we together with Sam Jenner packed up my rags in order to go to the fair by him. They weighed 5 cwt 0 qr 22 lbs net weight. My brother stayed and supped with me and then went home… In the evening we had a smart shower of rain, though a frost in the forepart of the day.

In the day my brother sent me over word his carrier had disappointed him in going to the fair, for the roads were so bad he could not get along… A most remarkable cold day; a sharp piercing wind and a very hard frost. At home all day, though not very busy. I hardly remember a colder day, I think, at this season of the year.

…At home all day; a good deal of rain in the evening; a sharp frost… Joseph Fuller smoked a pipe with me in the evening. We have had almost this 3 months past a deal of rain, and yet a frost almost every day or two.

In the forenoon walked down to see Mrs Browne, who is very ill. I gave Edmund Elphick the 5/- I received for his father on Sunday. I dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner. Dame Watford and Sam Jenner drank tea with me. One of my servants sat up with Mrs Browne. In the evening copied a letter for Mr Thornton to send into Kent to a gentleman who seems to espouse the part of a fellow now confined in jail for clandestinely taking several things from him some time ago.

Rec’d of Thomas Darby half a hog weighing 9 stone. I dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner. After dinner I set out for Yalden, in order to see my cousin Charles Hill. I called at Framfield to see my brother to stand in the shop for me during my absence. I called at my brother’s at Tunbridge Wells, with whom I stayed and supped, and also lodged all night (my brother Moses came over in the evening and stayed with my servants).

After breakfasting with my brother and family I set out on my journey for Yalden, where I dined with Mr Hill on a piece of boiled beef, a piece of pork, apple pudding and turnips. We drank tea with a gentleman and his family in the place (an acquaintance of Mr Hill’s). We came home about 7:20, but neither of us quite sober. I stayed at Mr Hill’s all night… Paid to a man to lead me a road through the fields, the water being out in the high road very deep 0.0.6…

I breakfasted with Mr Hill and spent the forenoon with him and also dined with him… After dinner I set out on my journey home, Mr Hill accompanying me so far as Tunbridge Wells. We stayed and baited ourselves and horses at Tunbridge and supped and spent the evening with my brother at the Wells, at whose house we lodged (both) all night…

We both breakfasted at my brother’s and then took leave of him, Mr Hill setting out to prosecute his journey back to Yalden and I to Hoathly. I called on my aunt Ovendean at Boarshead Street, where I dined on some pork boiled, turnips and sausages. Came home about 5:20. Mr Coates’s cook and my brother drank tea with me; my brother stayed all night…

After breakfast I rode to Lewes, where I went for to get some things for Mrs Porter; I came home about 2:20. My brother stayed and dined with me… A truly melancholy time; hardly anything to do, and it is impossible to get any money owing to me, so great a state of poverty abounds among us. I think there is too great reason to fear that it proceeds from a too free indulgence of that bane of private property LUXURY.